While this weapon deals identical damage to the default Sniper Rifle, it cannot be fired unless the player is utilizing the scope. Attempting to fire the weapon unscoped will cause a "click" sound effect in addition to sparks being emitted from the rifle's muzzle, at no cost to the player's ammo. A fully charged shot fired by the Machina delivers an extra 15% damage, can pierce through multiple enemies, and has a distinct firing sound. Buildings cannot be penetrated; they can be damaged by shots that have penetrated players, but the shot will not penetrate any further. As a drawback, each shot fired has tracer rounds, leaving a faint team-colored trail in the air for a few seconds which, in turn, notifies enemies of the Sniper's position.

A successful penetration kill, where a fully charged shot penetrates an enemy to kill another enemy behind them (regardless of whether the enemy in front dies), will trigger a unique fanfare sound effect audible to every player on the server, similar to the sound effect made by obtaining an Achievement.

This item was awarded in Genuine quality to players who pre-purchased Deus Ex: Human Revolution on Steam before August 26, 2011.

Unused content

There exists several sounds for the Machina that are currently unimplemented in the game: a unique reload and world reload sound, along with an extended version of the Machina's penetration kill fanfare.

Bugs

Occasionally, the tracer round will stop around an enemy target despite the shot not registering as a hit.

When firing under the effects of damage recoil, the Machina may appear to fire two bullets: one bullet firing towards the intended target, and the other firing a few degrees higher at a diagonal angle out of the barrel. This may be caused by the Machina's particle effect. The second shot deals no damage and costs no ammo.

This also applies if the players are standing on a moving object such as the Payload Cart or a Train.

The unique sound effect for reloading the Machina currently does not work.

In the event of a penetration-kill killing more than 2 players at once, the fanfare sound effect will stack for each additional kill.

Occasionally, the Machina will incorrectly register a penetration-kill when killing only one player. The unique penetration kill icon is shown and the sound effect is played for everyone on the server.

Trivia

Much like the game from which it originates, the weapon is named after the phrase Deus ex machina, Latin for "God out of the machine". It is a term used to describe a convenient plot device that appears out of nowhere, usually to instantly solve a difficult problem.